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H1N1 Swine Flu Vaccine, Possible Side Effects and the Potential Dangers of Squalene

Teresa Allen — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 01:33:59 GMT

UPDATE: November 13, 2009

The NVIC has just posted a Vaccine Ingredients Calculator for the H1N1 vaccine and the seasonal flu vaccine. You put in your weight, age etc. and the vaccine and click 'calculate'. It will tell you how much mercury the EPA states is acceptable for you.

Click here to go to the VIC.www.vaccine-tlc.org/calc.html

I put my info in and it said that based on the EPA standards of mercury that I can handle would be 8 micrograms. The H1N1 vaccine has 25 micrograms.

UPDATE: November 10, 2009

Thank you, Anais, for sharing this.

A brave and highly educated spanish nun,doctor and theologian, living in a monastery, but very much involved in the matters of the world, explains the H1N1 flu. This is the clearest and most sensible information I have been able to find. Hope it helps everybody to make an informed and free decision.
More ...

The youtube version is in 6 parts here.

UPDATE: November 3, 2009

Please go and listen to this interview! Very informative! Very good interview with Dr. Russell Blaylock: (Dr. Blaylock is a board certified neurosurgeon, author and lecturer. For the past 25 years he has practiced neurosurgery in addition to having a nutritional practice. He recently retired from both practices to devote full time to nutritional studies and research.) http://articles. mercola.com/ sites/articles/ archive/2009/ 11/03/What- We-Have-Learned- About-the- Great-Swine- Flu-Pandemic. aspx Just a couple of things from the interview:

UPDATE: October 27, 2009

The shocking truth about why Obama announced a National Public Health Emergency in the US this weekend.

October 21, 2009
ALERT: Special Swine Flu Update

*UPDATE: 10/14/2009* -

(Taken from Peninsula - Palo Alto Daily News )

"...the current stock of U.S. swine flu vaccines does not contain adjuvants, according to Anne Schuchat, MD, in an informational video produced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Schuchat does acknowledge that there is an emergency provision to use them — should the pandemic accelerate."

*UPDATE: 10/5/2009* - According to the CDC, neither the 2009 H1N1 vaccine nor the 2009 seasonal flu vaccine used in the United States contains squalene.

A Glimpse into the Scary World of Vaccine Adjuvants

The U.S. government has contracts with several drug companies to develop and produce swine flu vaccines. At least two of those companies, Novartis and GlaxoSmithKline, are using an adjuvant, Squalene, in their H1N1 vaccines.

Meryl Nass, M.D., who is an authority on the anthrax vaccine, states

“A novel feature of the two H1N1 vaccines being developed by companies Novartis and GlaxoSmithKline is the addition of squalene-containing adjuvants to boost immunogenicity and dramatically reduce the amount of viral antigen needed. This translates to much faster production of desired vaccine quantities.”

There is a difference between 'good' and 'bad' squalene. The difference is the way it enters the body. Injecting squalene is an abnormal route of entry. Injecting squalene into the body causes your immune system to attack ALL of the squalene in your body, not just the vaccine adjuvant.

According to the European website Without Concent :

What you don't know can hurt you.

WithoutConcent is about informed concent. We promote transparency in the pharmaceutical industry and the governments that regulate it...because you can't make good choices with bad information - or no information at all.

Clinical trials with "fast-track" swine flu vaccines that contain and adjuvant - substance that turbocharge the immune system's response to the vaccine - are underway on four continents. The adjuvant is an oil called squalene, which causes incurable autoimmune disease in animals. Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system attacks the body instead of defending it.

Over the past 35 years, scientists in laboratories like UCLA Medical Center and the Karolinska Institute, which awards the Nobel Prizes in Medicine and Physiology have published papers showing how squalene injected into rodents will cripple them. They used squalene to induce diseases like rheumatoid arthritis in animals (the animal version is called "adjuvant arthritis") in order to search for a cure in humans.

This website also states:

The European Medicines Agency report on GlaxoSmithKline's new swine flu vaccine called "Pandemrix" says on pg. 17 that it contains 10.69 milligrams of squalene.

An appendix to the report says on pg. 29 that subjects injected with the vaccine suffered "Headache, Tiredness, Pain, redness, swelling or a hard lump at the injection site; Fever, Aching muscles and joint pain." It says these complaints were "very common" - occurring with more than 1 in 10 doses of Pandemrix.

In 1 out of 1,000 doses, subjects reported "Allergic reactions leading to a dangerous decrease of blood pressure, which, if untreated, may lead to collapse, coma and death; Fits, Severe stabbing or throbbing pain along one or more nerves and Low blood platelet count which can result in bleeding or bruising." In 1 in 10,000 doses, volunteers reported "Temporary inflammation of the brain and nerves causing pain, weakness and paralysis that may spread across the body; and Narrowing or blockage of blood vessels with kidney problems."

We're not going to tell you what to do about this - except to get informed. Your health could depend on it.

According to Jeffry John Aufderheide of justgetthere.us

"As to my knowledge, this information is the first of its kind validating the ingredients and the intent to use them on the population. Buyer beware of this vaccine as we are likely to see an onslaught of damaged men, women, and children if there are forced vaccines. The ‘new’ experimental vaccine is certainly unlike any other that we, as Americans, have been exposed to in the past."

On Fox News, a Doctor recently said that the H1N1 Swine Flu virus is losing its virulence and the vaccine has levels of Squalene, even going so far as to say you would rather get Swine Flu than seasonal flu.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1z7KSEnyxw

More video from the National Vaccine Information Center

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5wHP5zLcP4

I, for one, will not be getting the H1N1 vaccine. However, no matter what you decide to do, please be sure to educate before you vaccinate.

I have removed the 'side effects' listed in the vaccine insert. Please do your own research into this.

..."Vaccine Safety Testing Only Done for ONE Week Now we are being told that this new fast tracked, poorly tested vaccine is very safe and effective. The results of the testing on this vaccine were reported in the New England Journal of Medicine.39 It is instructive to learn that the tests for safety and to assess complications lasted only 7 days after the vaccine, an incredibly short period of follow-up. Gullian Barre paralysis can occur even months after a vaccine as can seizures, behavioral problems and neurodevelopmental disorders in children. It is interesting to note that the authors of the safety study for our swine flu vaccine were all employees of the maker of the vaccine CSL Biotherapeutics and eight held equity interest in the company.39 This admission is part of the disclosure policy of the New England Journal of Medicine. It is always important to keep in mind when you hear about this vaccine being safe and produced just like the seasonal flu vaccine -- What else do they not know about this vaccine that they will discover months, years or even decades later. Once injected with the vaccine and you develop a complication there will be little that can be done to treat the life-long degenerative disorder it produces. You will just be a sad story on 60 minutes."

For the amount of mercury given in the vaccines to be considered safe, I would have to weigh a minimum of 551 pounds (250 kilograms).

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Teresa Allen

Man in Coma for 23 Years Heard Everything

Jeremy Thurman — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 10:04:22 GMT

Imagine being trapped in your own body. When you think of being trapped the first thing that may come to mind is being confined, now think about the only thing confining you is your brain. Your loved ones are all around you trying to talk to you; meanwhile, you lay there and cannot speak. You scream, shout, cry, smile, and even laugh occasionally but no one knows but you. Now imagine this has been going on for 23 years. Recently in Brussels, Belgium this nightmare is one man’s reality. Recently made public in newspapers and internet sites throughout the world is the story of Rom Houben, a 46 year old man, who was involved in a car accident 26 years ago. Up until 3 years ago this man was thought to be in a vegetative state, but thanks to new brain scanning technology they discovered that not only was Mr. Houben’s brain functioning properly but it was almost operating normally. Dr. Steven Laureys, a neurologist at the University of Liège in Belgium, has published a new study that states Mr. Houben could be one of many misdiagnosed coma cases in the world. Dr. Laurey’s study states that up to 40% of cases labeled vegatative state, upon closer examination are found to have at least some brain activity. With this new finding they have found that some cases with consciousness can be treated and they are making considerable progress.

This grim reality could happen to any one of us. A simple trip to the grocery store could put you or a loved one in a hospital bed, one that they may never get out of again. In the United States in 2008 per every 100,000 population, 12.25 people were killed (FARS DOT). While every year less and less people are dying on the roadways, there are still severe injury accidents that occur. Every day I count my blessings when I make it home safely, and I was not responsible for somebody’s pain and suffering.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jeremy Thurman

Toyota Sudden Acceleration Recall: Company Vows To "Make Better Cars"

Brett Emison — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 10:24:32 GMT

Bloomberg has reported that, on the heels of a 4.2 million vehicle recall for accelerator problems, Toyota has vowed to "make better cars."

Nov. 26 (Bloomberg) -- Toyota Motor Corp. plans to fix accelerator pedals on 4.26 million vehicles in the U.S., its biggest recall, as the world’s largest automaker works to fulfill a vow to “make better cars.”

The company will also install automatic brake systems in some vehicles after drivers reported cases of sudden acceleration, the U.S. Transportation Department said yesterday. The recall covers eight models, including Camry, Lexus and Prius cars and Tacoma and Tundra trucks.

Toyota’s recall, at least the third involving more than 100,000 U.S. autos in the past two years, dents a reputation for vehicle quality established in surveys including those by researcher J.D. Power & Associates. Toyota wrested the global sales crown from Detroit-based General Motors Co. last year.

“More recalls may follow,” said Koji Endo, managing director of Advanced Research Japan, a Tokyo-based equity research company. “Toyota has common parts and platforms across many models, so a defect found in one component has a broad impact.”

Why is Toyota only installing "smart brakes" in some of its vehicles? Don't all Toyota drivers and passengers (not mention other innocent drivers on America's roads) deserve the same level of safety? Why has it taken Toyota so long to install a smart brake system when other auto makers have had it for years? And now, why do only some Toyota cars get this critically safety feature?

An analyst at IHS Global Insight may have the answer:

“The frame issue with the Tundra and Tacoma is an obvious defect,” said Aaron Bragman, a product analyst at IHS Global Insight Inc. in Troy, Michigan. The “unintended acceleration issue is far more nebulous, however. Given the court of public opinion, Toyota has to respond.”

This so-called auto expert says that Toyota's rust problem is an "obvious defect", but that the sudden acceleration is "nebulous." Really?? Tell that to the families of those killed by this "nebulous" defect. Tell that to those who have been paralyzed by this "nebulous" defect. Tell that to the thousands of people who have had their Toyotas take off and accelerate out of control.

This is a prime example of what is wrong with car companies today. A defect that creates rust is obvious... while a defect that actually kills people is "nebulous".

Many actual auto safety experts are convinced that Toyota's recall does not go far enough and more sudden acceleration accidents will occur.

I have been tracking experts who have repeated said (for example, here, here and here) that Toyota's recall is not enough and will not fix the underlying sudden acceleration problem.

After ignoring the accelerator problem for more than 5 years, Toyota is continuing to ignore the problem in many of its models.

According to Sean Kane of Safety Research & Strategies:

These new fixes may allow the driver to better control a runaway Toyota, and are important steps toward controlling the SUA problem. But Toyota’s latest recall does nothing for owners of problem models excluded from the recall.

Until Toyota finally creates a solution that actually fixes the problem, all Toyota drivers must be prepared. You can learn how to stop your vehicle if it experiences the sudden acceleration problem at this post.

You can learn more about the Toyota sudden acceleration defect by reading these previous reports of Toyota's sudden acceleration problem:

Toyota Denied Sudden Acceleration Problem For More Than 5 Years

"Inaccurate and Misleading" Statements On Toyota Sudden Acceleration Problem

Toyota Sudden Acceleration: Case Is Not Closed

Safety Group Responds To Toyota On Sudden Acceleration Defect

Toyota Has More Troubles Than Just Sudden Acceleration

You can learn more about Toyota's dangerous sudden acceleration defect at our auto safety blog or by visiting our web site.

Learn more and become a fan of Langdon & Emison on Facebook.

____________________________________________________________

Update: Toyota's Record Accelerator Recall Surprises Unprepared Dealers

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Update: Toyota Recall: Experts Point To Electronic Throttles; Not Floor Mats In Sudden Acceleration Problem

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Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Brett Emison

Massive Crib Recall Announced; 2.1 Million Cribs Affected

Susy Owen — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:52:05 GMT

The Consumer Product Safety Commission announced today one of the largest crib recalls in United States history, involving cribs with dropdown sides.

This recall involves Stork Craft Baby cribs and Stork Craft cribs with the Fisher-Price logo. All Stork Craft Baby cribs with manufacturing and distribution dates between May 2000 and November 2008 are included in this recall. All Stork Craft cribs with the Fisher-Price logo have distribution dates between May 2000 and December 2004. The cribs were sold in various styles and finishes. The manufacture date, model number, crib name, country of origin, and the firm’s name, address, and contact information are located on the assembly instruction sheet attached to the mattress support board. The firm’s insignia “Storkcraft baby” or “storkling” is inscribed on the drop side teething rail of some cribs. In the product that contains the “Fisher-Price” logo, this logo can be found on the crib’s teething rail, in the manufacturer’s instructions, on the assembly instruction sheet attached to the mattress support board, and on the end panels of the Twinkle-Twinkle and Crystal crib models.

The federal government has recalled nearly 5 million cribs in the past two years -- many of them with drop down sides. A measure just approved by the organization that sets safety guidelines for the crib industry makes full-size cribs with dropdown sides a violation of voluntary safety standards. A federal ban will hopefully be in place soon.

The CPSC urges parents and caregivers to immediately stop using the recalled cribs and find an alternative, safe sleeping environment for their baby. Consumers should contact Stork Craft to receive a free replacement kit, with new mattress support brackets.

Contact Stork Craft toll-free at (866) 361-3321 anytime to order the free replacement kit or log on to www.storkcraft.com

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Susy Owen

Toyota Sudden Acceleration Recall: Company Focuses On Wrong Problem

Brett Emison — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 10:06:10 GMT

There have been a number of reports regarding the Toyota sudden acceleration recall since it was announced yesterday, the day before Thanksgiving. The experts at Safety Research & Strategies have an excellent analysis of why the Toyota recall will not fix the underlying acceleration problem.

Get out the Saw, Hammer and Computer

Toyota’s fix, which is expected to start in January, will first cut the length of the accelerator pedals until replacement pedal assemblies become available several months later.

According to NHTSA, Toyota will also install a brake-to-idle algorithm on the Camry, Avalon and Lexus ES 350, IS 350 and IS 250 models as an “extra measure of confidence.” This design, found in other manufacturers’ vehicles with electronic throttle, including Audi, BMW and VW, will bring the engine to idle if both the brake and the accelerator pedals are applied. A significant number of motorists who experienced frightening SUA events reported that no amount of braking would stop the vehicle once it took off.

SRS President Sean Kane said Toyota’s long-awaited fixes are welcome, but the recall doesn’t include some of the well-known problem vehicles, such as the 2002 – 2006 Camry / Lexus ES which also have electronic throttle controls. Nor does Toyota’s recall include all models that the company claims have experienced floor mat interference unintended acceleration incidents.

“Do floor mats cause unintended acceleration in Toyotas, yes. But floor mats don’t explain many of the incidents. The good news from this recall is that regardless of the cause of unintended acceleration, the brake override remedy will likely bring a measure of control to drivers and prevent crashes” said Kane. “Brake overrides should be standard failsafe design on any vehicle with an electronic throttle.”

After ignoring this problem for more than five years and then lying to the public, Toyota appears to finally be doing something, but it doesn't look like it is doing enough or doing it soon enough.

More than 5 years ago, the Center for Auto Safety identified the electronic throttle control as the most likely source of the sudden acceleration defect. However, Toyota continues to public deny the possibility.

These new fixes may allow the driver to better control a runaway Toyota, and are important steps toward controlling the SUA problem. But Toyota’s latest recall does nothing for owners of problem models excluded from the recall.

You can learn more about Toyota's dangerous sudden acceleration defect at our auto safety blog or by visiting our web site.

Learn more and become a fan of Langdon & Emison on Facebook.

____________________________________________________________________

Update: Toyota's Record Accelerator Recall Surprises Unprepared Dealers

____________________________________________________________

Update: Toyota Recall: Experts Point To Electronic Throttles; Not Floor Mats In Sudden Acceleration Problem

____________________________________________________________

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Brett Emison

RRA Litigation: Tony Villegas Deposition List, A Place to Start (Updated)

Steve Lombardi — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 09:01:00 GMT

Today looks like the day Scott Rothstein will be charged and then arrested by the FBI. He claims to not be talking but those who have followed this story closely see it differently. Rothstein has lost his law license and many of his assets seized; his law firm is in bankruptcy court. And what has Scott Rothstein been doing? Well, aside from living in hotel rooms he's been talking. And still the question remains as to what he knows about the murder of Melissa Lewis. And towards getting that question answered we come full circle to Tony Villegas.

UPDATE: Scott Rothstein was arrested around 7:45 a.m. this morning and is scheduled to appear at 11:00 a.m. before Magistrate Judge Robin Rosenbaum in U.S. District Court in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Watch the video clip from Channel 4 CBS.

http://cbs4.com/video/?id=87425@wfor.dayport.com

Where might the lawyers for Tony Villegas find names of those to depose as a way of finding out who knew what and when? After all it's looking more and more like Tony has been framed.

First I’d start with any lawyer who worked at RRA and left employment within the past 24 months. One person mentioned in a blog is Susan Dolin.

“We all seem to forget about one of the named partners in RRA early on. Her name is Susan Dolin (great attorney and nice person). Dolin abruptly quit and got the hell out of there. What did she see that made her give up that lucrative position as a named partner? Inquiring minds what to know.”

What does she know? And here is a list of potential witnesses to interview. You want motive, start here, they have to hate those that carried the Ponzi scheme and ruined their firm.

A
Adler, Russell S., Shareholder and Vice President
B
Barsky, Laurence S., Attorney
Berger, William J., Shareholder
Birken, Shawn L., Partner
Bofshever, Harold S., Partner
Buschel, Robert C., Partner
C
Cirulnick, Riley W., Attorney
Coen-Giovanelli, Dr. Sara, Partner
Cohen, Jodi N., Attorney
D
Dijols, Pedro E., Attorney
Dishowitz, Benjamin R., Attorney
F
Farmer, Gary M. Jr., Partner
Fistos, Mark S., Partner
G
Gibbons, Eugene, Attorney
Goldstein, Scott A., Partner
Gonzalez, Julio E. Jr., Partner
Guzman, Jan Paul, Attorney
H
Herrera, Frank, Partner
J
Jaffe, Steven R., Partner
K
Kitterman, Christina M., Partner
Kleinfeld, Denis A., Shareholder
Kusnick, Howard A., Partner
L
Lehrman, Seth Michael, Partner
Levy, Ellie A., Attorney
Linder, Carl H., Shareholder
Lippman, Steven N., Shareholder
M
Meyer, Diana, Attorney
N
Neiwirth, Arthur C., Partner
Nurik, Marc S., Shareholder
O
Osber, Steven H., Partner
P
Padowitz, Kenneth D., Partner
Pancier, Michael A., Partner
R
Rasor, Gregg E., Partner
Reyes, Carlos J., Shareholder
Rosenfeld, Kari E., Associate
Rosenfeldt, Stuart A., Founding Partner and President
Ross, John Michael, Partner
Rothstein, Scott W., Managing Partner, Chairman, CEO
S
Sardina, Gustavo, Attorney
Scheinberg, Howard M., Attorney
Schmidt, Justin B., Attorney
Smith, Grant J., Shareholder
Steinberg, Adam J., Partner
Stone, Barry J., Shareholder
Storfer, Richard B., Partner
Stracher, Les, Shareholder
Strohsahl, Brianne M., Attorney
T
Torres, Osvaldo F., Partner
W
Weissing, Matthew D., Partner
Williams, Johnny Jr., Partner
Wolfe, Tami R., Partner
Wright, Blandin J., Partner
Z
Zinkler, George L. III, Attorney

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Steve Lombardi

FBI: Beware of Loan Modification Scams

Paul Kiesel — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 16:08:26 GMT

According to the Justice Department, San Joaquin Valley has been a hotbed for loan modification scams, as cities like Stockton, Modesto and Merced top the foreclosure rankings among cities nationwide.

Last week, Representative Dennis Cardoza (D-Modesto), urged Attorney General Michael Mukasey to investigate mortgage-reduction schemes that are being marketed to distressed homeowners throughout the Valley.

Most of these scams ask homeowners for an upfront fee in order to start a loan modification program. At best, the homeowners may end up paying for work that is completed by the group asking for the money, however, it's work that likely could have been done for free through other non-profit organizations or loan-modification assistance programs (i.e. Community Housing Council, a non-profit based in Fresno). At worst, the homeowners pay for work that isn't done at all.

Cardoza wrote to Mukasey that it was "imperative" that law enforcement authorities "crack down on these foreclosure scams quickly and comprehensively. Cardoza pointed out that San Joaquin Valley residents are particularly vulnerable because of the region's foreclosure crisis.

The scams are typically initiated over the phone or through the mail, however, the people running the scams sometimes show up at the homes they're targeting. The companies will then offer the distressed homeowner their services to renegotiate the mortgage in exchange for an up-front fee amounting to one month's mortgage payment or more.

Just last week, in Modesto, "some homeowners attended a workshop in which they were asked to pay $3,500 for getting their mortgage woes resolved," (San Jose Mercury News, 10/27/08).

The FBI is aware of this problem, as they report to having 1,569 pending mortgage fraud investigations open as of last month. However, it is clear that number will rise and more resources will need to be poured into combating mortgage fraud, as incidences of it has annually doubled between 2003 and 2007.

The FBI has also been taking some flack recently due to their late arrival to all of the rampant mortgage fraud that's been taking place over the last couple years, but part of that is due to the agency not having enough agents to cover the continuing spread of mortgage fraud, as the housing and foreclosure crisis gets worse. The bureau slashed its criminal investigative work force to expand its national security role after the Sept. 11 attacks, shifting more than 1,800 agents, or nearly one-third of all agents in criminal programs, to terrorism and intelligence duties. Current and former officials say the cutbacks have left the bureau seriously exposed in investigating areas like white-collar crime, which has taken on urgent importance in recent weeks because of the nation’s economic woes.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Paul Kiesel

Toyota's Record Accelerator Recall Surprises Unprepared Dealers

Brett Emison — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:27:10 GMT

Chris Weiss of MotorCrave.com has reported that the largest recall in Toyota history -- an attempt to solve the sudden acceleration problem that has plagued Toyota for more than five years -- caught Toyota dealers off guard.

According to industry journal Wards Automotive, Toyota failed to fully inform its dealer network of the pedal and floor modifications needed to repair the accelerator issue before making the recall announcement. Subsequently, confused drivers began contacting their nearest dealer to get a little more info and were met with an unprepared, dumbfounded response.

Toyota originally linked the accelerator problem to certain floor mats installed in Toyota vehicles. However, Toyota's position was quickly rebuked by the safety experts at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which called Toyota's statements "inaccurate and misleading".

After years of hand wringing, Toyota just last week expanded the scope of its massive recall of nearly four million vehicles in an attempt to finally find the cause of the Toyota sudden acceleration problem. As part of the recall, Toyota announced it would shorted the length of gas pedals and then, finally, replace the gas pedals on 3.8 million Toyota vehicles. Toyota also announced it would install brake override systems on just some of its vehicles as part of the recall.

However, many independent safety experts have warned that the Toyota recall does not go far enough. Toyota is only making these critical safety changes on the seven recalled Toyota models. Many safety experts have said (for example, here, here and here) that Toyota's recall is not enough and will not fix the underlying accelerator problem.

Toyota continues to focus on the floor mat connection even though independent safety experts and crash data suggest the problem runs much deeper and stems from Toyota's electronic throttle controls.

"With the electronic throttle, the driver is not really in control of the engine," said Antony Anderson, a Britain-based electrical engineering consultant who investigates electrical failures and has testified in sudden-acceleration lawsuits. "You are telling the computer, will you please move the throttle to a certain level, and the computer decides if it will obey you."

Reports have shown that sudden acceleration events increased by more than 500% after Toyota introduced its electronic drive-by-wire system in 2002.

Toyota failed to include a critical safety device -- sometimes referred to as a SmartBrake or SmartPedal -- that will override the electronic throttle and allow the vehicle to slow down during a sudden acceleration event. Many other car makers incorporated this critical safety device when transitioning from mechanical to electronic throttle control. Toyota did not.

Even now, Toyota will incorporate the SmartBrake into only some of its vehicles.

You can learn more about the Toyota sudden acceleration defect by reading these previous reports of Toyota's sudden acceleration problem:

Toyota Recall: Experts Point To Electronic Throttles; Not Floor Mats In Sudden Acceleration Problem

Toyota Sudden Acceleration Recall: Company Vows To "Make Better Cars"

Toyota Sudden Acceleration: Safety Experts Want Toyota Recall Expanded

Toyota Sudden Acceleration Recall: Company Focuses On Wrong Problem

Toyota Recall Won't Fix Accelerator Problem

Toyota Denied Sudden Acceleration Problem For More Than 5 Years

"Inaccurate and Misleading" Statements On Toyota Sudden Acceleration Problem

Toyota Sudden Acceleration: Case Is Not Closed

Safety Group Responds To Toyota On Sudden Acceleration Defect

Toyota Has More Troubles Than Just Sudden Acceleration

You can learn more about Toyota's dangerous sudden acceleration defect at our auto safety blog or by visiting our web site.

Learn more and become a fan of Langdon & Emison on Facebook.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Brett Emison

Toyota’s Largest Ever Recall of Vehicles

Beth Janicek — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:25:18 GMT

Toyota Motor Corp. claims the gas pedal design in more than 4 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles makes them vulnerable to being trapped open by floor mats. On Wednesday it announced a costly recall to fix the problem. Although Toyota has repeatedly pointed to “floor mat entrapment” as the problem over unintended acceleration events, more people are beginning to believe that the potential cause is the electronic throttle system that has replaced mechanical systems in recent years.

A Times review of thousands of federal traffic safety incident reports found that complaints of sudden acceleration in many Toyota and Lexus vehicles shot up almost immediately after the automaker adopted the drive-by-wire system over the last decade. The electronic system uses sensors, microprocessors and electric motors, instead of a steel cable used in mechanical systems to connect the driver’s foot to the engine. Reports of unintended acceleration increased more than fivefold for some Toyota models, after drive-by-wire systems were adopted.

Brian Lyons, Toyota spokesman, said the automaker could not explain the trend, but has consistently held that the electronic control systems are not to blame. Toyota released a statement this month saying,

“Six times in the past six years NHTSA has undertaken an exhaustive review of allegations of unintended acceleration on Toyota and Lexus vehicles. Six times the agency closed the investigation without finding any electronic engine control system malfunction to be the cause of unintended acceleration.”

In my opinion, Toyota’s recall is focusing on the wrong problems. In January they plan to cut nearly an inch off the lower edge of the gas pedal and adjust the width to reduce the risk that the floor mat will become caught on the gas pedal. They will also install a brake override system meant to ensure that the engine will lose power if the brake and the accelerator are applied simultaneously, which will become standard on all Toyota and Lexus models by the end of next year. I hope that these adjustments will be enough to reduce the amount of accidents occurring from sudden acceleration. However, since there have been reports of sudden acceleration in cars that have removed their floor mats, I do not understand how changing the gas pedal will make a difference. I think that Toyota needs to do extensive research on the electronic throttle system in order to find the underlying problem causing these acceleration events.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Beth Janicek

Safe Holiday : Cooking The Turkey

Mike Bryant — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 09:27:00 GMT

With the turkey dinner just days away, it's important that consideration go into how the turkey is prepared.

The turkey should be thawed completely.
Enough time must be allowed to cook a whole turkey. (A 20-pound turkey needs two to three days to thaw completely when thawed in the refrigerator at a temperature of no more than 40 degrees Fahrenheit. A stuffed turkey needs 4 ¼ to 5 ¾ hours to cook completely).
A food thermometer should be used so to ensure that 165-180 degrees Fahrenheit is achieved.

The Injuryboard has focusing on food issues , a review of these topics can prevent and help with food problems all year long.

Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant